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A Week In Business

OCEAN CITY – Gregg Holland, a veteran broker sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Ocean City, was recently honored as the Coastal Realtor® of the Year by the Maryland Association of Realtors® (MAR).

Holland was recognized for his exceptional service and leadership on several local and regional real estate boards, volunteer work and superior client service.

“Gregg is an outstanding Realtor who has consistently and successfully helped clients meet their goals. He goes beyond the call of duty to make sure his clients are aware of current opportunities in the marketplace and have every bit of info they need to make confident decisions,” said Stephen Cain, branch vice president of the Ocean City/120th Street office. “He also gives tirelessly to the growth of our industry and to our communities.”

Holland, a.lifelong Salisbury resident, has served local buyers and sellers since 1984. A residential sales expert, he also specializes in resort and second home sales and holds the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation, possessing advanced knowledge in contract law, sales and marketing, and finance and risk reduction.

Cain, a member of Coastal Association of Realtors® (CAR), observed Holland during his tenure as president of the organization in 2008-2009.

“He increased morale, increased educational opportunities, hired a new executive vice president and saw the association through the selection of a new Multiple Listing Service; he helped bring about a new sense of direction and confidence,” Cain said.

Active in his community, Holland is vice-chair of the Disabled Advocates of Delmarva, raising scholarship money that helps disabled high school seniors pay for college tuition. He has also been involved with Dads Against the Divorce Industry and Diakonia, which seeks to improve living standards for the most vulnerable people throughout the world.

Hospital Lab Honored

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital’s vascular laboratory has attained recognition for its commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. The facility achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL).

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over $83.7 billion each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability. Stroke, a disorder of the blood supply to the brain, is the third leading cause of death and disability in this country, with 500,000 new strokes occurring annually.

During the accreditation process, every aspect of the laboratory’s daily operations and its impact on the quality of health care provided to patients is assessed and reviewed. While completing the application, laboratories are required to identify and correct potential problems, revising protocols and validating quality assurance programs.

Power Rates Heading Up

SALISBURY – The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) last week authorized Delmarva Power to increase its distribution rates for its Maryland customers by about 1.1 percent. This is only the third time in more than 15 years that distribution rates have been increased.

A typical bill for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would increase by $1.66, moving the average monthly bill from $150.03 to $151.69. The bill impact on commercial and industrial customers would vary according to usage.

The $7.53 million revenue increase represents approximately half of what the company had requested. In its order, the PSC said, “this modest increase is justified primarily by construction costs incurred for the purpose of improving the reliability of the Company’s electric distribution system.”

AGH Scores Award

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital recently announced that it has received the Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious Trailblazer Award. Atlantic General, along with five other Maryland hospitals, was recognized during a regional conference, titled “Environmental Excellence in Health Care: Greening Maryland Hospitals,” held at the University of Maryland School of Nursing in early November.

The Trailblazer Award is bestowed upon model hospitals in Maryland that have made advanced efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and support sustainable practices, lessening their impact on the environment through a variety of measures.

Atlantic General Hospital received the award for implementing performance contracting resulting in energy and water conservation. In February 2008, Atlantic General signed a 10-year energy efficiency contract with Johnson Controls. The 15-part project that included upgrading to high efficiency lighting fixtures, increasing insulation, installing passive occupancy sensors, and using low flow water fixtures among other retrofits and upgrades, was completed in May 2008.

"It is our responsibility to our community to meet our mission for health care service delivery, and to be a responsible corporate citizen," states Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General. "We live in a very environmentally conscious region, and it is important for us to contribute to a sustained healthy environment."